Full time general practice experience comprises a 38-hour minimum working week, over a minimum of four days per week, of which a minimum of 27 hours must be in face-to-face, rostered, patient consultation time undertaking general practice activities. Work periods of less than three consecutive hours, or of less than one month in any one practice, will not be considered. Hours worked beyond this definition of full time will not be considered.

Part time general practice experience is calculated pro-rata against the definition of full time general practice experience. Part time general practice must comprise a 14.5-hour minimum working week, over a minimum of two days per week, of which a minimum of 10.5 hours must be in face-to-face, rostered, patient consultation time undertaking general practice activities. Work periods of less than three consecutive hours, or of less than one month in any one practice, will not be considered.

Comprehensive Australian general practice means:

continuity of care that is person centred, comprehensive and coordinated; focusing on the whole person, and all presenting symptoms

health promotion and illness prevention services that are based on patient need and the best available evidence

the diagnosis, treatment and management of the full range of undifferentiated conditions in a diverse range of individuals, families and communities not limited by practice intention or business focus

5. Eligibility requirements

To be eligible to undertake the examinations Candidates must:

Hold current Australian medical registration at all times while on the Practice Based Assessment Pathway and to be eligible for the examinations. Candidates must disclose any restrictions on, or changes to, their medical registration to the RACGP. Failure to do this will be handled as per the Educational Misconduct Policy. Applicants with medical registration restricting them from seeing patients across all genders and all ages cannot continue on the Practice Based Assessment Pathway.

Be a financial RACGP Associate member from the time of joining the Practice Based Assessment Pathway and throughout their candidature.

Have employment in comprehensive Australian general practice meeting at least the minimum part time requirements for the duration of their candidature on the Practice Based Assessment Pathway. Candidates must disclose any changes to their employment arrangements, practice location or scope of practice to the RACGP. RACGP will assess the changed employment and determine whether the Candidate will be permitted to continue on the Practice Based Assessment Pathway

6. Change in eligibility status

If at any time a Candidate becomes ineligible for an examination for whatever reasons after enrolment in that examination then they must inform the RACGP and withdraw. Failure to do this will be handled as per the Educational Misconduct Policy.

7. Related policies, documents and legislation

All policies and procedures related to the Practice Based Assessment Pathway are available on our policy page.

8. Administrative procedures

8.1 Access to published policy

This policy will be available via the RACGP website as detailed in clause 7.

8.2 Promulgation of published policy

Relevant staff members will be provided communications explaining the function and role of this policy.